What time does your flock go in to roost?

[HeatherEmme]

Hi guys! I ask because last night was the first time I actually had to go in a put my pullets in the coop. They've only been outside for about a week now, but I've previously had no problem with them going in to roost. Maybe I don't even have a problem at all, maybe it was just a one time thing but I thought I'd get some ideas of what your chickens normally do to compare....

They're usually in by 6 to 7:30pm. Last night I had a heck of a time trying to get them in at 8pm. It gets fully dark here at about 8:15 pm now. Granted we did just put them in their new 8ft run, but their coop is in there. I don't think they were confused...maybe enjoying themselves a little much? or could it just be that chickens still forage until it's pretty dark out? I'd just been under the idea that they'd go in while it was still light out?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Some flocks are in a half hour before dusk the ones that catch more evening light stay out till almost dark.
I moved 2 birds into the early birds coop yesterday morning and they didn't want to go in last night. I decided to wait till after dark so I could catch them and put them in and when I went out they had already gone to roost.

 

[bloonskiller911]

some of my hens go in around 630 to 7 and some stay out late, until almost dark. I think it depends on the chicken.

 

[azygous]

It depends on what time they "unroost". They have an inner clock that adjusts to the length of the day, shorter in winter and longer in summer.

As an example, in years past, I've put a light in the coop to assist in laying since they need around fourteen hours of light exposure for that endeavor. I noticed that they adjusted for the extra light by going to roost quite a bit earlier than they were when they had only natural light, even though it was still quite light out.

A one-time deviation from your flock's routine is hardly anything you can go by. I would guess they're getting used to their new living quarters. I've also noticed that mine turn in earlier when they've had a lot of outside activity, just like tired kids.

 

[Thebazilly]

My chickens go in when it starts to get dark out, usually about half an hour to an hour before the sun sets completely. I've been closing up the coop around 8-ish, and it gets completely dark at around 8:30 this time of year.

In the mornings, I let them out at about 6:45, when I leave for school.

 

[PamBee]

mine also go in themselves when it starts to get dark. When its raining tho or crappy weather, they go in early Its like they have this little inner clock